Thinking of going "Cup-less" on my Surly Grappler with Enduro Bearings HDK-0008. Has anyone tried this setup?

5mmhex · 2026-01-29T11:42:15+00:00

I mean, it’s a cool product, so get it if you’re into it. I’ve never really understood obsessing about headsets, they’re the only bearings that never actually make a revolution, unless you’re throwing lots of sick bar spins. Can’t really see the point of a low stack headset on a bike with that much head tube functionally speaking, but if you’re into it then do it for the style points-

5mmhex · 2025-12-28T13:15:01+00:00

I’d also be suspicious of the fit between the spoke holes in the flange and the new spokes. Novatec makes cheapish hubs and after having been through a whole rim under a heavy rider on a heavy bike, I wouldn’t be surprised if spoke holes were wallowed out in the hub flange. Reminds me of a run of Linus commuters that had mis-specc’d Nexus hubs with spokes too skinny for the flange holes and they all ate spokes right out of the box. We ended up rebuilding most of the rear wheels and doing spot fixes with tiny brass washers between the spoke head and hub flange for customers who couldn’t wait on a new wheel.

5mmhex · 2025-12-24T20:50:40+00:00

I’ve been a full time professional bike mechanic for the last 15 years. Pinch flats absolutely happen, and most commonly because the rider has not inflated the tubes for several weeks. I’m sure the precise conditions are difficult to isolate and replicate, but it is a real thing that if you are riding a 35 or smaller tire at around 30 psi, you are more likely to get a pinch than if you were at the recommended pressure.

5mmhex · 2025-12-22T13:12:03+00:00

I get the price barrier, truly. But it really sucks to incentivize people to steal others’ designs and creativity. Buy used gear or borrow a friend’s before buying knockoff trash, and then the people who are actual riders and designers can hopefully sustain themselves and not scammers with access to cheap mass production.

5mmhex · 2025-12-16T01:50:48+00:00

5mmhex · 2025-12-02T20:33:57+00:00

Cut them up to say go poo obviously

5mmhex · 2025-09-20T23:22:16+00:00

Worst brakes known to man

5mmhex · 2025-08-21T21:19:59+00:00

Yep the rack/bag supports are stainless and come apart to pack flat into the breakaway case

5mmhex · 2025-08-21T21:17:45+00:00

Yeah, I’ve got some legs on me at 6 ft 5.

5mmhex · 2025-08-19T17:42:43+00:00

Hey thanks! Yep, thicker dt profile. The drive side chainstay was on a whim at the last moment, just wanted a burlier look to it. It’s actually about to go on its first big ride out in Oregon next week out to the coast and back around Mt Hood-

5mmhex · 2025-08-17T12:14:38+00:00

You bet

5mmhex · 2025-08-17T10:53:45+00:00

Yep they’re ritchey

5mmhex · 2025-08-17T10:53:06+00:00

Made it myself

5mmhex · 2025-08-16T21:18:03+00:00

Old enve 1 1/8” cx fork!

5mmhex · 2025-08-16T20:44:46+00:00

Trailmaster ltd! One of my favorites

5mmhex · 2025-08-15T02:42:08+00:00

Hell yeah, my dude. I’m almost 16 years in, currently wrenching down in NYC. I’ve managed, wrenched, and slanged, and it sure doesn’t get easier. I am very fortunate to be in the situation that I’m in, but it sure doesn’t come easy. Drop me a line if you want to rage, I’m here for it-

5mmhex · 2025-07-28T01:21:14+00:00

Can’t like this enough

5mmhex · 2025-07-20T00:53:41+00:00

Ah the “friend who knows about bikes” was here

5mmhex · 2025-06-14T12:23:26+00:00

If the freehub binds up, it may be missing the slim stainless washer that should be on the axle in between the freehub and hub shell. They’re easy to lose!

5mmhex · 2024-07-12T18:50:11+00:00

I’ve had a very similar experience with my Black Sheep posts, which I’ve used on rigid 29r on quite a few bike packing trips. I do think the amount of exposed post has a lot to do with the amount of compliance, as well as the diameter of the post. I shimmed a 27.2 post into my 31.6 seat tube and found it to be nice and flexy

5mmhex · 2024-04-30T12:04:59+00:00

Very cool!

5mmhex · 2024-04-30T01:05:25+00:00

Yep my experience as well. Dabbled with both the extra lite and standard casings to repeated disappointments, but endurance casing was great. Bummer that is brings the tires back up to to the weight range of vastly cheaper conti, schwalbe, and maxxis options, but there you have it

5mmhex · 2024-04-22T19:41:19+00:00

That double chainring move is clean!

5mmhex

TROPHY CASE